One of those has returned with him from Real Madrid. Michael Essien was unwanted by Roberto Di Matteo last August, signed on loan by Mourinho on deadline day but now back in the Blues fold.

And Mourinho pointed to the debt he believes Chelsea owed the Ghanaian to underpin what amounted to a personal crusade.

Mourinho, who has managed six clubs and not spent four years at any of them, said: “Football is a little bit like society in general terms. It seems that people now forget about some principles.

(Photo: Thananuwat Srirasant)

“For me loyalty is fundamental, not just in football but also in life and we need this kind of boy.

“More than that what I want and what I try to create in the team is that kind of principle between them. I don’t want them for me - I want them for them.”

Loyalty is a two-way street, of course. Mourinho introduced Essien in the Malaysian capital as “my son” with the African power-house joking in turn about “my daddy”.

But loyalty, too, is about not divulging secrets. And, asked when he knew Mourinho was returning to Chelsea, Essien’s smile was gaping wide.

“I can’t say when I knew he was coming back!” said the midfielder. “That’s between me and him. I can’t say.

“Now I’m happy to be back. He’s the Special One. He knows how to talk to his players and get the best out of them and it’s always easy to work with him if you understand him.”

So now Juan Mata and David Luiz are getting Mourinho’s special brand of loyalty.

Chelsea’s indignation over the claims they had offered £10m plus Manchester United’s choice of either player for Wayne Rooney had only slightly calmed 24 hours after their fierce public response.

(Photo: Alex Livesey)

But Mourinho insisted that nothing will make him even consider parting Mata or Luiz - and that they don’t need telling because they already know where they stand.

“I spoke with them during the summer, when I was on holiday and they were both at the Confederations Cup,” said Mourinho.

“But when they finished the Confederations Cup I just wished them luck and told them that I will see them on July 28th.

“I am not going to contact them based on news stories that are not true.

“And they know that the stories are not true because I have told them they are very important for me.

“How can I change that two days later because of a story? So there has been no contact with them.”

Luiz had already responded. Speaking in Brazil, he said: ‘”I do not like the rumours about me and the possible departure. I have a contract with Chelsea until June 2017 and do not want to talk to other clubs.”